Texas Passes Law Protecting Phrase ‘Merry Christmas’ in Schools

You may have heard of "Christmas creep," where Christmas stuff starts happening earlier and earlier in the year. And you have certainly heard of the war on Christmas. But this is the first time we've dealt with 'War on Christmas' creep.

On Thursday, Rick Perry, the governor of Texas, signed a law that protects schools from being sued for using the phrase "Merry Christmas."

Right now is pretty much exactly as far away from Christmas as you can be. We're just a week away from being halfway between last Christmas and next Christmas. But Texas just needed to get the jump.

Under the bill, schools can use the phrase "Merry Christmas." They can put up Christmas decorations, sing Christmas carols, pass out candy canes, and do any other Christmas-related activities.

The new law does require some representation of other religions, however.

Perry says, "I realize it's only June, but I'm glad that we're standing up for religious freedom in this state. Religious freedom does not mean freedom from religion."